I’ll admit it, tea-ple– I can be a bit of a tea snob. I’ll pretty much try anything once, but give me a weak English Breakfast or a watery-looking bagged tea, and I’m probably going to politely chuck it in the nearest flower-pot while no one’s looking, all the while dreaming of my cabinet of tea delights at home.
It’s gone so far that when my lovely fiancé offers to take me out for a cup of tea at our local chain coffee joint, I am purely going because he is sweet and wonderful, and usually wondering if there’s a way I could just bring *my* tea and have them hand me a cuppa hot water to brew for myself rather than choose from some ‘meh’ bagged options. I AM HORRIBLE, I KNOW.
But let’s get to the point: when I saw this sample bag of Celestial Seasoning’s black cherry herbal, I was… skeptical. Bagged tea? And not even bagged loose-leaf, bagged… tea shavings? But every-committed to my reviewing duties, I thought, hey! This sounds like it’d make a tasty iced tea, and into my big ol’ cold brew pitcher they went.
They almost immediately turned the water a lovely, saturated pink (hello, hibiscus!), and after a chill 12 hours in the fridge, it was ready to sip! While I’m impressed with the ingredients in this blend (rosehips, roasted chicory, blackberry leaves, and of course: hibiscus, first and foremost), there’s that “natural cherry flavor” that I wish would’ve come from cherries itself. And while it’s a tasty, fruity, obviously-berry brew, I can’t say that I’d have immediately recognized the flavor as “cherry” so much as “general berry-ish” without the cue from the name. Does it make a delicious iced tea? Yup. Is it even yummier with a splash of lemonade or plain seltzer? Heck yes. Am I going to become a bagged tea convert and spurn my beloved loose leaf anytime soon? Probably not. But let me be the first to admit my snobbish ways would’ve made me miss out on a yummy summer treat if I hadn’t given this one a try– I’m glad I did!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Celestial Seasonings
Description
Reminiscent of nostalgic fruit punch, this tea combines a burst of cherry and berry flavors with tart, ruby-red hibiscus and other herbs. Delicious hot or iced.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Bengal Spice from Celestial Seasonings. . . . .
I have been a fan of Celestial seasonings tea for as long as I can remember. It is a part of my childhood memories as my mom drank it and it was always in our cupboards. My mom would always give me Celestial Seasonings chamomile tea when I was sick. But somehow I’ve never tried their Bengal Spice tea.
The other day I was picking up some groceries, and I saw a sale on Celestial Seasonings tea that was too good to resist. I saw that Bengal Spice was caffeine free, and when I read the list of spices it seemed like an herbal Chai. I’ve mentioned quite a few times that I love all things Chai, so I just knew I had to try this blend!
I made my tea just as I would a regular Chai, with a little raw sugar and a splash of almond milk. It does remind me of Chai, but even more than Chai it reminds me of another childhood favorite, those cinnamon hard candies. I think they’re made by Brach’s? I used to love,love love those candies. I also love Big Red gum, and before I worried about things like red dye #40 I loved Hot Tamales. I’m a cinnamon girl! This tea tastes like all the best cinnamon things made into a delicious tea! But it’s nice and balanced, the cinnamon isn’t jarring, and it doesn’t taste fake in anyway. It’s just a really delicious, cinnamon-y cup of tea. Perfect for a cool rainy morning which has been every morning this week.
I definitely continue to be a fan of Celestial Seasonings, and I see this tea having a permanent spot on my tea shelf!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Celestial Seasonings
Description
Brimming with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves, this adventurous blend is our caffeine-free interpretation of chai, the piquant Indian brew traditionally made with black tea. Try it with milk and sugar for a true chai experience.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
